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CHAPTER 03
“Undine, I’m going to call someone in. What will you do?”
— I’ll return to the Spirit Realm! The King is curious about how you’re doing.
“Alright.”
Only after Undine disappeared did I pull the long cord hanging by the head of the bed.
A maid or servant should come soon. Thanks to going through Part 1, this didn’t feel unfamiliar.
A few moments later, a maid quietly entered the room.
“Did you sleep well, my Lady?”
My Lady? That’s a bit much. I hid my awkwardness behind a neutral expression.
“I need to get dressed.”
“Yes, the bath is ready.”
She glanced at my feet, then brought over a pair of slippers and neatly placed them on the floor.
Then she knelt down and bowed her head, the gesture so practiced it was almost too natural.
“My Lady, if you would allow me, could you lift your foot?”
Were maids always this overly attentive?
Even thinking back to Leonhart, the crown prince and the biggest silver-spoon among my colleagues, this felt excessive.
I wanted to refuse, but I couldn’t. The instruction clearly said: “As usual.”
“…Fine.”
As I lifted one foot, she slipped the slipper on for me.
But just as my slippered foot touched the floor, the maid’s fingertip brushed across the top of it—and left a red scratch.
“Hm?”
It wasn’t even a strong impact, but a bright red mark appeared on my pale foot.
Guess this body bruises easily.
I was looking down at the mark absentmindedly when the maid suddenly collapsed backward.
“Ah… ah…”
“Huh?”
“S-s-sorry… I’m so sorry…”
She was paralyzed with fear.
So much so that she couldn’t even speak properly.
Why is she so scared over something like this?
Just as I was about to tell her it was okay—
Stage 2: (Slap the maid’s cheek)
“From today, you’ll be cleaning the laboratory.”
“….”
Slap her? For what? She didn’t do anything wrong. This makes no sense!
No wonder this story flopped!
Stage 2 had a 50% freedom rating—I only had to loosely follow the instructions.
So instead of slapping her, I gently patted the top of her head.
“From today on, you’ll be in charge of cleaning the lab.”
The maid turned even paler.
That’s weird… I said it with a smile, gently. Why is she more terrified now?
“Y-you… y-you mean the sealed laboratory?”
“Is there another lab?”
“Eeek! M-My Lady! Please have mercy!”
“…Huh?”
“I-I was wrong! I-I’ll never make a mistake again… P-please, not the lab! I-I’ll beg! Please forgive me, just this once!”
What… what the hell is going on?
I looked down at her in disbelief. She had latched onto my leg and was even kissing the top of my foot.
She’s absolutely terrified of the lab.
Whatever was being researched there, it clearly wasn’t normal if just mentioning cleaning it made her react like this.
Are they raising monsters in there or something?
I clicked my tongue.
How badly did this body treat people for them to react like this? She’s completely falling apart.
I was starting to get it.
Unfortunately, the person I’d possessed—this body’s original owner—must have been the epitome of nobility.
Arrogant, authoritative, and completely self-absorbed.
Probably thought her bloodline was sacred, making her feel uniquely noble. Everyone else was beneath her.
Of all characters, why’d I have to possess this one?!
I was about to help the maid up but stopped.
From now on, I had to act as much like Adrian as possible.
If I wanted to return to my original world, I had to keep my identity hidden until the end.
Even if I acted slightly differently from Adrian, it was unlikely anyone would immediately suspect possession—but better safe than sorry.
It was smarter to avoid giving that devious trash author any reason to pick on me.
Instead of helping her up, I stepped back.
What would Adrian do in this situation? She certainly wouldn’t console her.
“What are you dawdling for? Didn’t you hear my command?”
My tone and actions didn’t fully match the instructions, but fortunately, I wasn’t penalized.
Guess they’re giving me the 50% leeway here. Not too harsh, then.
“M-My Lady, please, just give me one more chance…”
Tears streamed from the maid’s wide eyes.
Even if I felt bad, I had no choice. I’d have her clean the lab just for today and call her back tonight.
Stage 3: Adrian took a key from the bedside drawer and handed it to the maid.
Stage 3: (With a cold smile) “Just endure it for two weeks. Then I’ll forgive you.”
…So one day isn’t enough, huh.
Just like the instructions said, there were two keys sitting in the drawer beside the bed. I picked one up and handed it to the maid.
“Endure it for two weeks. Then I’ll forgive you.”
The maid staggered to her feet, as if resigned to her fate.
“…I-I’ll call in another maid.”
She bowed and left, and a second maid entered. A red-haired girl with cute freckles across her nose.
“M-My Lady… y-you called for me?”
Her thin frame trembled pitifully.
She looked terrified. Even more than the last one.
Adrian must’ve been brutal with her staff.
“I need to get ready. Prepare things.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
After the bath, several maids gathered to groom me. For two whole hours.
“My Lady, we’re finished.”
I stared blankly at the mirror.
Heavy smoky eye makeup. Not a single hair out of place in an impeccably styled updo.
A diamond headpiece adorned my hair, with matching oversized diamond earrings.
The tight black dress I wore was embroidered with golden thread. Elegant, striking—and way over the top.
Feels like someone stuck a fan behind my neck. Are those feathers?
Everything on me was luxurious and extravagant.
The diamonds alone could probably buy a whole house.
“Am I going to a party today or something?”
I asked, starting to feel overwhelmed. The maid standing by answered politely without raising her head.
“Shall I ask the butler for your schedule?”
“…No need.”
So this is just how Adrian dressed on a normal day.
Everything is beautiful… but why does she look more like a witch than a duchess?
They say rank shapes a person. It’s right to carry yourself with dignity befitting a duke—but this was excessive.
She looked so villainous. Who would even dare talk to her?
I shook my head.
Too much character design—that’s a hallmark of a failed novel.
Honestly, even the title was awful.
“I Became the Saint Who Saved the World”—it’s literally the same as Part 1.
You flopped once already, and you learned nothing.
Judging by the title, the genre was the same fantasy fare: the protagonist becomes a saint and defeats the Demon King.
I was the cold-blooded duchess backing her.
Wait, so who’s the saint?
You rotten author! At least tell me who the main character is!
“Sigh…”
Damn it. Guess I’ll have to start by finding the protagonist.
Adrian’s mansion was truly extravagant.
The interiors were grand, the furniture elegant, and the décor lavish.
This seemed to be exactly Adrian’s taste.
When I reached the dining room, the attendants opened the double doors wide.
Inside, the little girl from earlier was already seated.
“D-Duchess! Y-You’re here!”
She looked about four or five and jumped up to greet me with a deep bow.
Her pink pigtails bounced as she moved.
Oh my god, she’s so cute with her hair like that.
I resisted the urge to squeal and sat down.
“Sit.”
“Yes!”
As she sat, breakfast began to be served.
I had so many questions.
Did she sleep well? What food did she like? But I didn’t know anything about her, so I stayed quiet.
What was she to me?
She’s… not my daughter, right?
No way. As twisted as Adrian might be, she wouldn’t make her daughter call her “Duchess.”
…Right?
If I’m going to possess someone, the author should at least tell me who the surrounding characters are, damn it!
With no choice, I just stared at the food when the girl cautiously spoke.
“Um, Duchess?”
“Go on.”
“A-Are you not sick anymore?”
“…Was I sick?”
“I-I heard you’ve been sick for a while. L-last time…”
“Ah…”
So that’s why she came to my bedroom this morning. She was worried because she heard I was ill.
How sweet…
She clearly liked Adrian very much.
Even though Adrian probably never showed her much kindness.
“You…”
You’re such a kind girl, I wanted to say—but right then, a prompt appeared.
Stage 1: (Coldly) “Piace.”
Her name’s Piace? Cute—
Stage 2: (Sternly) “Are you bragging about eavesdropping? Go back to your room and reflect.”
You psycho. At least let the kid finish breakfast! This is abuse!
